If you have a friend or family member who’s been fired from their job, you’ve probably heard them say they’re going to sue for wrongful termination. What your friend doesn’t realize is that it’s almost impossible to win wrongful termination cases in North Carolina.
Personal injury lawyers in Charlotte meet with dozens of clients every year who believe they’ve been wrongfully termination. However, most of these clients don’t really understand how hard it is to prove wrongful termination. They’re upset and angry at their employers and want them to pay. They just don’t realize that the law is typically on the side of their employers.
If you’re now the one on the unemployment line, you may ask yourself the same question: Can I sue my employer for wrongful termination? Before you get your hopes up, you should read this short article. Here, we’ll describe the law as it related to wrongful termination. We’ll also explain why wrongful termination is a lot rarer than most people think.
Regardless of whether you end up having a valid claim or not, you should still call a personal injury lawyer in Charlotte.
What is the Law Regarding Wrongful Termination?
A lot of people think that, if they get fired, they have a right to sue for wrongful termination. They don’t realize that am employer pretty much can fire anyone, at any time, for any reason. This is because North Carolina – like most other states – is an at-will state.
What we mean by this is that employees in Charlotte are only employed at the will of the company they work for. Once the company determines that they no longer want or need you to work for them, they are allowed to fire you.
Now, if you’re fired and didn’t do anything wrong, you can usually apply for (and receive) unemployment. That is the standard remedy for people who are terminated from their jobs. If you were fired for cause, you may receive unemployment but it will be after a mandatory waiting period.
The at-will part of the law works both ways. So, as an employee, you’re allowed to leave your job whenever you want. It’s not like people who are in the military, who can’t leave until your contract is up.
Will a Personal Injury Attorney in Charlotte Accept Your Case?
Most personal injury attorneys in Charlotte stay away from wrongful termination cases. It’s not because they don’t know the law. It’s because they know the law and understands that the employer almost always wins these cases.
There are times, however, when a personal injury lawyer would accept a wrongful termination case. Some of these situations include the following:
- You had a contract with your employer and they breached that contract
- You were fired for illegal or discriminatory reasons
- You weren’t properly notified of your being terminated
There are so few exceptions to the at-will rules that personal injury lawyers are reluctant to handle these types of cases. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t call and speak with a lawyer.
What Kind of Damages Can You Demand?
If your attorney does accept your case, they’ll demand that you be compensated for being wrongfully terminated. Some of the damages they’ll demand include:
- The wages you would have received had you not been fired
- Any bonuses or commissions due at the time of your firing
- Emotional distress
- Any wages that were unpaid to you at the time of your release
- Future wages for the duration of your contract
Your lawyer is going to work hard to get you as much money as possible. Just keep in mind, these cases are very difficult to win. Make sure you give your attorney as much information as possible so they can prepare your case.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer For Wrongful Termination in Charlotte Today
If you believe you have been the victim of wrongful termination, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Charlotte. Your attorney can review your case and let you know how strong your claim may be. They can answer any questions you may have.
Your lawyer is going, to be honest with you. If they don’t think you have a viable case, they’ll let you know. And, if they accept your case, they’ll give you an idea of what it may be worth.
Call Ted A. Greve & Associates today and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you pay nothing until you win your case. Your employer is going to have lawyers working for them and you should too.
